Results / Gul RS300 Inlands Rutland SC - 21/10/2006

A superb fleet of 31 RS300s congregated at Rutland SC for the Gul- sponsored Inland Championship over 21/22 October. This is the largest 300 fleet ever assembled and highlights the growing strength of the class. Numbers racing have been increasing steadily over the last few years due to the close and exciting racing on offer and the genuine friendliness of the sailors in the fleet. Racing over the weekend was held in a force 3-4 westerly and warm sunshine, conditions which the fleet endeavours to provide at all times! Race 1, and although Matt Sargent (Royal Artillery) popped out in front early doors, a pit stop on lap 3 to inspect the centreboard allowed Steve Bolland (Bristol Corinthian) and John Carron (Milton Keynes) to overtake and remain ahead to the finish. Sargent again led the fleet initially in race 2. In fact he led for all but the most important part of the race (the finish). Bolland managed to squeeze though at the final gybe mark and held on to take first place. Sargent was close behind with Greg Barton from Glossop & District in third. Cliff Shaw (Stokes Bay) was also in close attendance. Race 3 was the closest of the day (towards the front of the fleet at least, it was nip and tuck all the way down) with Matt Sharman (Delph), Nick Bolland (Draycote Water), Steve Bolland and Sargent all arriving in short order at the first mark. For the next 3 laps there was barely a dozen boatlengths between them until the excitement finally overcame Sargent who went for a cold swim to calm down (along with Barton who had joined the fray). At the finish the order was Sharman, Bolland S and Bolland N. Overnight the order was Steve Bolland from Matt Sharman and Matt Sargent. Also showing well was Stephen Cronshaw (Delph), a newcomer to the fleet, showing that experience is not all that matters and that actually a bit of talent also helps. Although the forecast was dreadful for Sunday, the fleet manfully set sail in conditions only slightly windier than the day before. Steve Bolland led race 4 from start to finish. The other podium positions were taken by Sargent and Carron. Race 5 was a near carbon copy of the previous race. James Phare (Babbacombe Corinthian) set off like a greyhound out of the traps with Steve Bolland as the hare. The two had a commanding lead over the fleet by the first mark. Bolland extended his initial lead to win comfortably, only blotting his copybook slightly by capsizing on the run but nevertheless retaining the lead. Sargent and Cronshaw overtook Phare shortly before the finish. Also showing well in this race were Chris Gandy from Draycote and Keith Bond in his first 300 meeting. Proving that heavyweights can be competitive in lighter conditions, Nick Bolland pulled through to win the final race from Cronshaw and Sharman (the Delphiniums!). Tim Keen (Sheffield Viking) and Terry Brooks (Oxford) also had excellent finishes to the regatta, as did Ian Smith from Craven. Thanks to Rutland SC for a professionally run event and to Gul for the sponsorship.